SimpleHR Today Blog

Signs of Burnout
No leaders want their employees to feel burnt out on the job, but how do you know if your team members feel this way? Here are a few red flags to look out for:

Decrease in productivity and quality of work.
Has someone on your team recently been less efficient, lacking motivation, or rushing through their tasks? Maybe it's time to evaluate their stress level. If you notice employees making more mistakes, not performing as well as they once did, or not working to the best of their ability, they may be experiencing burnout.

An increase in sick days.
If your team members need an increased amount of personal time for illnesses, it's time to check-in. Often burnout can lead to physical ailments such as fatigue, headaches, and stomachaches.

A negative attitude.
If you notice a drastic attitude change in your employees, consider adjusting their workload or responsibilities. One cause of employee burnout is an overwhelming amount of work or tasks that do not align with what an employee seeks to get out of their position. Addressing the attitude change head-on is the best way to uncover the root cause and make adjustments as needed.

What You Can Do to Help
If you've recognized signs of employee burnout, you must address them. Here's how you cannot only combat burnout but also stop it before it occurs.

One-on-one meetings.
A regular check-in with each employee can do wonders for your business. This simple meeting where you give your team members undivided attention shows that you value what they bring to your business and that hearing what they have to say is valuable. This meeting allows for an opportunity to ask employees for feedback, check-in on their mental state, and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed in their position.

Encourage breaks and time off.
Some employees need more convincing than others to take time off. Sometimes, team members will push back and say they will fall behind with work if they take a vacation, sick days, or even a lunch hour. Create a culture where taking breaks and using vacation time is the norm, not the exception. Don't forget that the best way to encourage employees to take time for themselves is to lead by example. As a leader, make sure you lead by example and make your mental health a priority.

Set goals.
Working together with your team members to develop clear expectations is one of the best ways to counter burnout. By coming together to set goals, you give your workers buy-in to their objectives, keeping your team motivated and stimulated.

If you feel overwhelmed with all you have to do for your business, we can help. Call us today at 850-650-9935 to discover how our team of human resources professionals can take some of your tasks off of your plate, allowing you to focus on the parts of your business that you love!